Expression of α-farnesene and ethylene biosynthesis genes in relation to superficial scald in ‘White Winter Pearmain’ apple during storage

Abstract

Superficial scald is a physiological disorder in apples (Malus domestica). A two-year study was performed to investigate the relationship between α-farnesene, ethylene, and superficial scald in ‘White Winter Pearmain’ apples. In the first year, untreated apples were stored at 0°C for 12 weeks in an observational experiment. Results indicated that the expression of ethylene perception genes and α-farnesene metabolism-related genes correlated with the onset of superficial scald. The second year involved an interventional study, where apples were treated with 1.25 mM lovastatin (LOV), 1.4 mM ethephon, and 700 mM 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP), prior to storage at 0°C for 12 weeks. After the storage, both LOV and 1-MCP significantly reduced α-farnesene, conjugated trienols (CTols), and ethylene levels, as well as the incidence of superficial scald, whereas flesh firmness was enhanced. The combination of LOV and 1-MCP showed the most pronounced effect, as justified by pronounced alterations in the relative expression levels of α-farnesene- and ethylene-related genes (α-farnesene synthase, MdAFS; 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate synthase 1, MdACS1; MdACS4; MdACS5B; 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate oxidase 1, MdACO1; MdACO5; MdACO7; ethylene receptor 5, MdETR5; MdETRS2; and MdETR102) during storage. Correlation analysis showed a strong association between CTol content, ethylene production rate (EPR), and the expression of MdAFS, MdACS4, MdACS5A, MdACS5B, MdACS7, MdACO1, MdACO5, and MdETRS2 with superficial scald occurrence. These findings offer new insights into the molecular mechanisms by which α-farnesene and ethylene influence superficial scald development.

Keywords

Malus domestica / α-Farnesene and conjugated trienols / Ethylene production rate / Superficial scald / LOV and 1-MCP / Gene expression

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